Major southern expansion of Tranent revealed

MORE than 200 homes and a family bar/restaurant are among proposals unveiled for the south of Tranent.

Mactaggart and Mickel Homes has earmarked a 22-acre site, to the south of Sandee and east of the B6414, which could form part of a larger expansion of the Windygoul area of the town.

The plans, which are in their early stages, were unveiled at the town’s Loch Centre late last month.

Display boards show not only about 215 houses but also a family bar/restaurant, as well as a local store, children’s day nursery and small business units.

Ward councillor Colin McGinn attended the public exhibition.

The councillor, part of the local authority’s planning committee which could ultimately decide on the plans, was disappointed with the low turnout and urged Tranent and Elphinstone Community Council to get involved.

The housing would include about 57 affordable homes, with the properties ranging from one to five-bedroom in size.

On the early plans, vehicle access is shown from Elphinstone Road, with the possibility of a road heading from west to east through the site and onto Ormiston Road, should further development ever take place in the Windygoul area.

Pedestrian access is also highlighted from Elphinstone Road, as well as linking up with the existing properties at Sandee.

Bruce Hampton, from Mactaggart and Mickel, predicted that a planning application could be with East Lothian Council by February. If plans get the go-ahead, construction work, which could last four to five years, could begin early in 2019.

The site is highlighted as one for potential development in the proposed Local Development Plan for East Lothian. However, it is currently earmarked purely for employment use, with the larger site to the east classed as being for mixed use.

According to a document at the public exhibition: “The 4,000-square-foot retail store is well suited to a local convenience/grocery store. The new day nursery would serve new and existing local families. The public house/restaurant would provide new leisure facilities for new and existing local residents in a popular market sector. Demand for small, modern business units in East Lothian is strong and supply is very limited due to high occupancy rates.

“The mixed-use, housing-led development can fund development of the site, including the new business units which are otherwise not economic to build.”

The document also highlights economic benefits, including new jobs, increased retail and leisure spend in the area and greater council tax revenue for the local authority.

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